Sydney, Australia

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s construction started 1926 and the bridge was opened in 1932 by Premier Jack Lang. The construction of the

Bridge took six years. The famous Sydney Opera House was built right next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1973.

The bridge was built, to make getting from one side of the harbour to the other more efficient. Automobiles were getting more popular at

that time, also boats were less efficient than a bridge or tunnel.

If you look closely, you will notice that there are supporting beams inside the bigger beams.

Architectural Features

One of the most famous architectural features of this bridge, is the arc at the top. It is possible to climb over, but is a hard. I have never done this.

People walking over the top part of the bridge.

Challenges faced in Construction Period

The arc at the top may be famous, but it wasn’t easy to construct. While the bridge was being built the goverment had to keep the arc from falling inwards.

It is known that steel gets bigger when it is warm, and smaller when it is cold. The bridge rises 18cm and falls 18 cm depending on the weather.

They found the solution to the first problem by attaching hundreds of thick steel cables to the unfinished arc and threading them into U shaped tunnels.

Secondly the two massive hinges on the bridge allow it two move without it collapsing in on itself in changes of temperatures.

Fun Facts

According to a person on answers.com, who goes

by the name Grevillea and has 3000 trust points,

around 160,000 cars cross the bridge a day.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is also known as the Coathanger On New Years Eve and

Australia Day fireworks are realeased off the bridge.

Certain planes and pilots have attempted too fly under the bridge. (See http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge)

Sad Facts

According to Grevillea again, (and http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge) sixteen construction workers died in the building of the bridge

As many as 800 families had too move to new houses, as there’s stood in the way of the bridge.

Heights of Bridges

Bridge Location Height

Steel used

(tonnes)

Cars that go

over daily

Length

(m)

Sydney Harbour Bridge Austrailia 134 m 53,000 160,000 1,149

Golden Gate Bridge America 227 m 83,000 100,000 2,749

Millau Viaduct France 343 m 24,000 50,000 2,46

Brooklyn Bridge America 83 m 14,600 150,000 1,825

Tower Bridge England 65 m 11,000 150,000 244

Sources:

http://www.skwirk.com.au/p-c_s-14_u-309_t-763_c-2866/the-construction-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge/nsw/history/investigating-history/take-a-good-look

http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge